Aibonito to Adjuntas

Be sure to stop at the Mirador Villalba-Orocovis at Km 39.7 for some of the most spectacular views. This state-run overlook has ample parking and is open from 9 am until 5 pm, Wednesday to Sunday. In addition to the view, there's a playground and sheltered picnic areas. Don't worry if your visit doesn't coincide with the overlook's hours; there's plenty of room to pull over on the side of the road and you can still enjoy the view, surrounded by mountains on either side. It tends to be windy up here at 2,000 feet, so bring an extra layer.

After the Mirador, the next stop is the Toro Negro Forest. Climbing to an elevation of more than 4,000 feet, the forest has the distinction of being home to the highest point in Puerto Rico, Cerro de Punta, which tops out at 4,390 feet. Outdoor enthusiasts should stop by the ranger station at Km. 32.4 to inquire about trails, request maps, or obtain camping permits. For those who enjoy their scenery within easy reach, pull over at the Area Recreativa Doña Juana (the Doña Juana Recreational Area). Just a short walk across from the parking area is a natural pool; feel free to dip your feet in!

From the forest, you can drive through to Adjuntas, picking up either Highway 10 South or Route 123 South. Both will lead you to Ponce, Puerto Rico's second largest city, after San Juan, but 10 is faster and less scenic. It's also newer and somewhat less treacherous than 123.

If time allows, don't miss Hacienda Buena Vista, one of the historic sites operated by the Fideicomiso de Conservacion de Puerto Rico (the Conservation Trust of Puerto Rico). This 79-acre property was once one of the island's most important agricultural hubs; today, the Fideicomiso maintains the restored hacienda and invites you to explore coffee and cacao production on tours with knowledgeable guides. You'll need to make reservations to visit. Be sure to ask if any special activities—such as the cacao or coffee harvests—coincide with the dates of your visit. Four tours are offered each day: 8:30 am, 10:30 am, 1:30 pm, and 3:30 pm.

From Buena Vista, it's just a 20-minute drive to Ponce. Start your visit at the Plaza de las Delicias (Plaza of Delights), Ponce's main square. Here, you'll see a historic firehouse, a church, and decorative fountains, all rich with history. Guides and brochures are available at the firehouse. Along the side streets radiating from the square you'll notice Ponce's distinctive architecture, quite different from that of San Juan. If you extend your visit another day, visit the town's cemetery, where many of the island's prominent politicians are buried in elaborate mausoleums. Alternatively, you can scale the hillside for a tour of Castillo Serralles, the former home of the Serralles family, Puerto Rico's rum barons, and the Cruceta La Vigia, a cross-shaped observatory that provides views straight to the Caribbean Sea.